Grace Cathedral
Choirs, Organs, and Concerts
From weekly services to once in a lifetime performances, we present excellent music because we believe the arts are a path to the divine.
Our choirs and organs are the foundations of the cathedral's music program. They offer sung reflections and prayers, a rich tapestry of sound woven through each worship service. Choral repertoire is drawn from early plainchant to the 21st century. Whether on a Sunday morning, at Thursday Evensong, or on special holy days such as Christmas and Easter, all are welcome to hear these beautiful musical offerings. Organ recitals are offered on the first Sunday of most months.
Grace Cathedral regularly hosts concerts by fine local, national, and international musicians and ensembles of many genres. Experiencing music in our sacred space with its unique acoustics, soaring columns, and jewel-like stained glass windows is a feast for the ears, eyes and soul.
“The chance to hear music – gospel, classical, jazz or any other genre – in gorgeous Grace Cathedral should not be missed.”
– Jim Harrington, Bay Area Music Critic
Grace Cathedral Girls' Choir
Since its foundation, Grace Cathedral has echoed with the sounds of children singing. Our Cathedral Choir is deeply grounded in the Anglican practice of educating children to sing and lead in the liturgy. We know how important choristers are to the life of the world, and how deeply formative their education is.
We are incredibly pleased to announce that Grace Cathedral now has an exciting new chorister program for girls. After a successful pilot program in spring 2024, we will continue this ensemble as an after-school program and in the coming months and years will be dedicated to the long-term success of the Grace Cathedral Girls’ Choir. All children in grades 2-8 who identify as girls are eligible for this ensemble.
Dr. Joy-Leilani Garbutt directs this ensemble, joined by Jared Johnson, Canon Director of Music, and Peter Meredith, Instructor of Voice and Music Theory.
Forming a new choir is no small undertaking, and it will require cooperation, support, and teamwork. We continue to build relationships with families and schools in the Bay Area and ask that you help us spread the word about this wonderful new opportunity for young singers. To learn more about this program, or to recommend a potential chorister, please contact Joy-Leilani Garbutt.
The Choir of Men and Boys
Grace Cathedral has had a men’s choir since its founding as an institution in 1906, and boys’ voices were added in 1913. The centuries-old Anglican tradition of a choir of men and boys has since blossomed here, as one of a handful of such choirs in the United States. The choristers are students at Cathedral School for Boys. The Men of the Cathedral Choir are a professional ensemble.
The Choir of Men and Boys is heard at Choral Eucharist on Sundays at 11 am, and at Evensong on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Choir rehearsal on Sundays at 10:15 am is held in the Quire and is open to visitors.
The Choir of Men and Boys performs in a series of much-loved Christmas concerts, a Christmas tradition for many here in San Francisco. Choir tours include the inaugural trip to Australia (1987), as well as England and France (2007), Italy (2009), Spain (2013), Salisbury, England (2016), and Austria (2023).
Cathedral Singers
The Cathedral Singers are a mixed-voice volunteer choir open to all people. We welcome singers of all genders who have a familiarity with sheet music. The choir sings regularly for the cathedral’s Sunday 6 pm service, Diocesan gatherings, and other special events. Since rehearsals are on Sunday evenings, members of parish choirs can participate without Sunday morning conflicts.
For more information, please contact Peter Meredith or Jared Johnson.
Rehearsal time: Most Sundays of the academic year from 4:30–5:45 pm.
Location: Choir House (enter via the rear of the cathedral at 1112 Jones St)
Visiting Choirs
We warmly welcome inquiries from choirs interested in liturgical participation. This could include singing a 10-minute choral prelude to a principal service, substituting for our resident choirs, or musical collaborations in the liturgy.
Sing For Pleasure
Our Sing for Pleasure program offers choral groups the opportunity to sing for 30 minutes in the cathedral Nave as the building’s calendar allows.
The Cathedral's Organs
The Charles B. Alexander Memorial Organ (1934)
The Aeolian-Skinner Company built the cathedral’s main organ in 1934. Its 7,466 pipes make it one of the largest organs in the Western United States, and with its refined and beautiful tone stands out in the American Classic style of the early-to-mid-20th century. In 2010, the organ underwent a significant restoration to ensure its viability for another 75 years. We have two other splendid organs, the Chapel of Grace Aeolian-Skinner (1930) and the William Davis hand-pumped organ (1862).
We also offer an organ concert series on select Sunday afternoons during the year.
Organ Recitals
Experience the thrilling resonance of this marvelous instrument in the cathedral’s magnificent acoustic. Our organ recital series features fine and creative performers rendering a wide variety of music with the Alexander Organ’s colorful palette of sounds.
CDs and Gifts from Grace
Looking for a fantastic holiday gift?
Bring transcendent experiences into your home with a purchase of one of our choir CDs or DVDs.
Meet Our Music Staff
From left:
Jared Johnson: Canon Director of Music
Sue Crawford: Music Program Manager
Christopher Keady: Associate Director of Music
Peter Meredith: Instructor of Voice and Music Theory